Australian arrested in Bali on drugs suspicions

Edward Norman Myatt, 54, could face the death penalty after being arrested in Bali on suspicion of drug smuggling.

Transcript

EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: An Australian arrested in Bali on suspicion of drug smuggling could face the death penalty. Fifty-four-year-old Edward Norman Myatt was arrested at Denpasar Airport earlier this week after arriving on a flight from Bangkok.

Indonesia correspondent Matt Brown reports.

MATT BROWN, INDONESIA CORRESPONDENT: It starts with flashing cameras and could end with the firing squad. But Edward Norman Myatt appeared remarkably calm when paraded before the media today.

Customs officers allege this extraordinary haul of hashish and methamphetamines was inside Mr Myatt's stomach. Officials say the total weight of each drug is just over the amount required to trigger a possible death sentence.

MADE WIJAYA, BALI CUSTOMS: One thousand and three grams hashish and seven grams methamphetamines.

MATT BROWN: But they included the packaging in their measurements, and itís not clear how much the drugs weigh on their own. Officials say Mr Myatt was detained at Denpasar Airport on Monday after they saw him acting suspiciously.

MADE WIJAYA: He ... to come to our customs inspection ... just walking around like that. So, this is very, very suspicious.

MATT BROWN: On the way to a medical examination, they say, he leapt from a car stopped in traffic. But police recaptured him and over the next three days he allegedly passed 72 drug-filled capsules.

Bali Nine drug runners Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran are on death row for trafficking more than eight kilograms of heroin. But another Australian, Michael Sacatides was sentenced to 18 years for importing 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamines. It could be months before Mr Myatt is brought before a court.

Matt Brown, Lateline.

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